Children's health threatened by reduction in daylight hours during winter months

With many long winter nights ahead of us, there is a real danger that children substitute running around outside for the computer console or television. The Play Providers association is keen to raise awareness of this potential health risk and is urging parents to utilise some of the UK’s superb indoor play centres to ensure that children maintain the Government’s recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

“With the nights now closing in, there is less opportunity for children to play outdoors and the danger is that instead of running around they spend their time sat in front of a computer or television”, says Janice Dunphy, Chair of the PPA. “The resulting in-balance of energy in versus energy out can then lead to an increase in weight and all the negative side effects this can have on a child’s health.”

Weight gain is not the only side effect of a reduction in activity due to long winter nights. The Mental Health Foundation recognises that a lack of exercise can darken mood, increase anxiety and reduce concentration – all recognised symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (2) (SAD).

Maintaining activity levels will also help overcome the problems associated with a disturbed sleeping pattern, brought on by the clocks going back. According to The Chartered Institute of Physiotherapy, a lack of sleep can affect the immune system, growth and bone development, cognitive abilities and performance at school. (3)

Dunphy adds: “Many parents do not feel it is safe for children to play outside in the dark, but there are alternatives. The PPA has a network of more than one hundred superb indoor play centres across the UK where children can expend energy in a safe, supervised environment.

The PPA has a network of more than one hundred SUPERB INDOOR PLAY centres across the UK where children can EXPEND ENERGY in a safe, supervised environment.

All PPA approved centres offer a good range of play equipment that challenges young minds as well as developing movement skills. The beauty of exercise in play centres compared with more structured activities is that it is exercise in disguise. Children are involved in fun, active play but at the same time they burn calories and get their government recommended 60 minutes per day without even realising it.”

Parents who want to find a high quality indoor play centre near them should visit the PPA website at www.playproviders.org.uk. PPA members conform to a Code of Practice which means their play centres offer a safe and secure environment for children along with the opportunity for parents to learn through play with their children.

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Notes to editors

1. http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/media/news-releases/news-releases-2006/23-october-2006/

2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6415483/Childhood-obesity-warning-over-clock-change-physiotherapists.html